Robust Gold(III) Complexes

Robust Gold(III) Complexes

Author: ChemistryViews.org

Gold complexes have been investigated for use in catalysis and as anti-cancer compounds. N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) are useful ligands for such applications. Most reported gold complexes are gold(I)-based, since gold(III) ions are highly oxidizing and can easily cause side reactions. In addition, most AuIII–NHC complexes have only one or two NHC ligands, with only a single example of an Au(NHC)4-type complex to date.

Murray V. Baker, University of Western Australia, Perth, and colleagues have synthesized six new complexes of the AuIII(NHC)4 type (general structure pictured). The team treated bis- or tetrakis(imidazolium) salts with KAuCl4 and acetate as a base to prepare three different complexes of the type [Au(NHC)4Cl2]Cl. These could be further reacted with KPF6 to give square-planar [Au(NHC)4](PF6)3 complexes.

The reactions proceed in good yields and the [AuIII(NHC)4] groups are remarkably stable for gold(III) complexes. The compounds show no signs of decomposition in 1H-NMR experiments during prolonged heating in DMSO-d6 (deuterated dimethyl sulfoxide) at 120 °C or in D2O at 100 °C.


 

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